How to Become an LPN in Nevada 2026
To become an LPN in Nevada, you must complete an NSBN-approved practical nursing program, pass the NCLEX-PN through Pearson VUE, and submit a licensure application to the Nevada State Board of Nursing. Initial licenses are valid for two years and expire on your birthday. Nevada is not a Nurse Licensure Compact state, so LPNs licensed elsewhere must apply by endorsement.
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Nevada’s licensed practical nurses are regulated by the Nevada State Board of Nursing (NSBN). The path to licensure follows the national framework: finish a board-approved program, pass the NCLEX-PN, and apply through the NSBN’s Nevada Nurse Portal. Two state-specific requirements distinguish Nevada: fingerprint-based background checks processed through both the Nevada Department of Public Safety and the FBI, and a biennial renewal cycle tied to your birthday rather than a fixed calendar date. For a broader overview of nursing credentials in the state, see Nevada nursing license requirements.
Use the links below to jump to program requirements, the application process, endorsement steps, and salary data for Nevada LPNs.
- Education and program requirements
- Applying for a Nevada LPN license
- Endorsement from another state
- Renewing your Nevada LPN license
- Scope of practice and specializations
- LPN salary and job outlook in Nevada
- LPN employment settings
Education and Program Requirements
Nevada requires graduation from a practical nursing program approved by the NSBN’s Education Division. Programs are available at community colleges and private career schools throughout the state. The College of Southern Nevada and Great Basin College both offer approved programs, as does Carrington College. For a current list of approved programs, see LPN programs in Nevada. Most programs run 12 to 18 months and award a diploma or certificate of achievement upon completion.
To qualify for admission, applicants typically need a high school diploma or GED. Some programs require a passing score on an entrance exam such as the TEAS (Test of Essential Academic Skills). Clinical training is required by the NSBN. No fully online LPN program qualifies, since hands-on patient care hours must be completed in person.
Graduates of NSBN-approved programs are eligible to apply to take the NCLEX-PN. The Nevada Nurse Practice Act (NRS 632.140) also requires that candidates be of good moral character and in good physical and mental health.
Applying for a Nevada LPN License
Licensure in Nevada happens through the Nevada Nurse Portal, the NSBN’s online system for applications and document submissions. The steps below apply to first-time applicants who graduated from an NSBN-approved program in Nevada.
First, submit a completed application for Licensure by Examination through the Nevada Nurse Portal. The application requires supporting documentation and the applicable licensing fee. After your application is processed, you’ll receive authorization to test for the NCLEX-PN.
The NCLEX-PN is administered by Pearson VUE at testing centers. The exam is computer-adaptive and evaluates entry-level knowledge and clinical judgment for practical nursing practice. Pearson VUE handles scheduling directly through its own website once you’ve received authorization from the NSBN.
Fingerprinting is a separate requirement. The NSBN coordinates background checks through the Nevada Department of Public Safety and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Fingerprint submission instructions and authorized fingerprinting locations are posted on the NSBN website. The NSBN advises that it can take up to four months to receive official results from both agencies. Your application remains valid for one year from the date the NSBN receives it.
Your license will not be issued until the NSBN receives and clears the fingerprint reports from both agencies. Plan accordingly if you have a job start date in mind.
Licensure by Endorsement
Nevada does not participate in the Nurse Licensure Compact, which means an LPN license issued in another state does not carry over. To practice in Nevada, you must apply for licensure by endorsement and obtain a Nevada license.
Submit a completed application for Licensure by Endorsement through the Nevada Nurse Portal. If your current state participates in the Nursys verification system, you’ll complete the Nursys process, pay their fee, and designate Nevada as the recipient of the verification. If your state does not use Nursys, contact that state’s board of nursing directly and request that they send a Verification of License form to the NSBN on your behalf.
Once the NSBN processes your endorsement application, you qualify for a temporary license while the fingerprint background check is completed. A permanent license is not issued until the NSBN receives fingerprint clearances from the Nevada Department of Public Safety and the FBI. As with initial licensure, this can take up to four months. Your application is valid for one year from receipt.
Renewing Your Nevada LPN License
Nevada LPN licenses renew on a two-year cycle and expire on your birthday. The renewal fee is $100, with an additional $100 late fee if you miss the deadline. There is no grace period. Renewal applications open 60 days before your expiration date through the Nevada Nurse Portal.
The NSBN requires 30 contact hours of continuing education per two-year renewal cycle. Within that total, 4 hours must cover cultural competency, diversity, equity, and inclusion, required every renewal cycle per AB 267 (2023). There is also a one-time 4-hour bioterrorism course requirement. New graduates are exempt from the 30-hour CE requirement for their first renewal cycle, but must still complete the bioterrorism and cultural competency courses. Retain CE documentation for at least four years, as the NSBN conducts random audits.
If your license has been inactive for five or more years, different reinstatement requirements apply. The NSBN publishes separate instructions for RN/LPN renewal after five years of inactivity on its website.
Scope of Practice and Specializations
Nevada LPNs practice under the supervision of a registered nurse or physician. Within that scope, they administer medications, perform focused nursing assessments, assist with patient care plans, and identify changes in patient condition that require escalation to a higher-credentialed provider. The Nevada Nurse Practice Act and NSBN scope-of-practice guidance define the boundaries in detail.
IV therapy is one area where Nevada LPNs can expand their allowable duties through additional training. The NSBN does not issue or approve IV certification directly. There is no board-issued certificate. Instead, an LPN completes a course that meets the standards in NAC 632.475 and holds a Certificate of Completion as evidence. Per NAC 632.475, the course must include at least 30 hours of instruction and at least 10 hours of clinical or laboratory practice, including three successful venipunctures on live subjects or a simulator. The NSBN’s LPN IV Certification FAQ at nevadanursingboard.org outlines what qualifies and what an employer may need to supplement.
Wound care is another area where LPNs can develop specialized expertise. Facilities seeking LPNs with wound care skills may involve them in assessment participation, treatment delivery, and staff education. Adjunct certification through organizations such as the Wound, Ostomy, and Continence Nurses Society is available and can increase employment options in long-term care settings.
LPN Salary and Job Outlook in Nevada
According to Bureau of Labor Statistics data for May 2025, Nevada LPNs earned a median annual salary of $76,160. The mean annual wage was $74,470. Top earners in the state, those at the 90th percentile, reached $89,420. Nevada employs approximately 3,350 licensed practical and vocational nurses.
Earnings vary by metro area. LPNs in the Reno area earned a higher median, $78,600, compared to $75,920 in the Las Vegas-Henderson-North Las Vegas metropolitan area, based on May 2025 BLS data.
| Area | Median Annual Wage | Mean Annual Wage | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nevada (statewide) | $76,160 | $74,470 | $89,420 |
| Las Vegas–Henderson–North Las Vegas | $75,920 | $73,850 | $88,580 |
| Reno | $78,600 | $76,700 | $90,970 |
On the job growth side, Projections Central estimates Nevada LPN employment will increase from 3,220 to 3,840 positions between 2022 and 2032, a projected gain of 19.3%. That translates to approximately 330 average annual openings across the decade, a combination of new positions and turnover replacements.
LPN Employment Settings in Nevada
Long-term care is the dominant employer of LPNs in Nevada. Skilled nursing facilities, assisted living communities, and memory care units all depend on LPN staffing for daily resident care and medication management. In assisted living, experienced LPNs can move into roles as high as wellness director, coordinating care with home health agencies, managing in-service training, and serving as the primary liaison between residents, families, and higher-credentialed clinical staff.
Home health and private duty nursing represent a significant share of Nevada LPN employment. Medicare-certified home health agencies hire LPNs for skilled nursing visits, typically short-term care following a hospitalization, as well as longer shift work for clients with complex or ongoing care needs. Some positions involve intake coordination or case navigation functions alongside direct care duties.
Hospital-based and clinic positions exist, though they are less prevalent for LPNs in Nevada than long-term care and home health roles. LPNs interested in expanding their options in acute care settings may find that IV certification or wound care experience opens additional doors. LPNs who want to advance to registered nurse status can build on their practical nursing credential through bridge programs. See the guide to how to become an RN in Nevada for program options and licensure steps.
Find nursing licensure requirements by state for RNs, LPNs, LVNs, and advanced practice nurses.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to become an LPN in Nevada?
Most NSBN-approved practical nursing programs take 12 to 18 months to complete. After graduation, the time to receive a license depends on how quickly the NCLEX-PN is scheduled and how long the background check process takes. The NSBN notes that fingerprint clearances from the Nevada Department of Public Safety and the FBI can take up to four months, so the full timeline from graduation to active license can run six months or more.
Does Nevada have a compact LPN license?
No. Nevada does not participate in the Nurse Licensure Compact. An LPN licensed in a compact state cannot use that license to practice in Nevada. You must apply for a Nevada license by endorsement through the Nevada Nurse Portal and complete the state’s background check requirements before practicing.
What is the NCLEX-PN, and where do I take it in Nevada?
The NCLEX-PN is the national licensing exam for practical and vocational nurses. It’s administered by Pearson VUE at testing centers across the state, including locations in Las Vegas and Reno. After graduating from your program and submitting your NSBN licensure application, you’ll receive an Authorization to Test from the NSBN. You then schedule the exam directly through Pearson VUE.
Can LPNs do IV therapy in Nevada?
Yes, with additional training. The NSBN does not issue IV certification, but Nevada allows LPNs to perform IV therapy after completing a course that meets the standards in NAC 632.475. The course must include at least 30 hours of instruction and at least 10 hours of clinical or laboratory practice, including three successful venipunctures. The LPN holds a Certificate of Completion as evidence of qualification. The NSBN’s LPN IV Certification FAQ at nevadanursingboard.org covers current requirements and what an employer may need to provide to fill any gaps.
How do I renew my Nevada LPN license?
Nevada LPN licenses are valid for two years and expire on your birthday. Renewal is handled through the Nevada Nurse Portal, and applications open 60 days before your expiration date. The renewal fee is $100. The NSBN requires 30 contact hours of continuing education per cycle, including 4 hours of cultural competency each renewal and a one-time 4-hour bioterrorism course. New graduates are exempt from the 30-hour requirement for their first renewal but must still complete the cultural competency and bioterrorism courses. If your license has lapsed for five or more years, a separate reinstatement process applies.
Key Takeaways
- NSBN sets the rules — The Nevada State Board of Nursing approves programs, issues licenses, and publishes all application requirements through the Nevada Nurse Portal at nevadanursingboard.org.
- NCLEX-PN is required — The exam is administered by Pearson VUE after the NSBN issues your Authorization to Test. Graduation from an approved program must come first.
- Background checks take time — Fingerprint clearances from the Nevada DPS and FBI can take up to four months. Factor this into any job start timeline.
- Nevada is not compact — LPNs from other states must apply for licensure by endorsement. There is no reciprocity through the Nurse Licensure Compact.
- IV certification expands scope — Nevada LPNs can qualify for IV therapy duties by completing a board-approved course that meets NSBN hour requirements.
Find approved LPN programs in Nevada and compare application requirements, program length, and delivery format by state.
2025 US Bureau of Labor Statistics salary data and Projections Central 2022-2032 job growth forecasts for Licensed Practical & Vocational Nurses, Registered Nurses, and Advanced Practice Nurses across roles, reflect state and national data, not school-specific information. Conditions in your area may vary. Data accessed June 2026.